Cook Gets Probation and House Arrest For Failing to File Income Tax Returns

Channahon Village President Joe Cook wiped away tears Tuesday as Judge Morton Denlow gave his sentence. to charges of willfully failing to file income tax returns.

Cook admitted to failing to file taxes for money earned in 2004 through 2008.

Citing Cook’s unique family situation—he is caregiver for his mother, father and brother—Denlow decided against a sentence of jail time.

“We have an individual here who is really the principal caregiver for his father who is suffering from … throat cancer,” Denlow said, adding that Cook’s mother uses a wheelchair and his brother has Down syndrome. “I can see no benefit to imprisonment in a case like that."

Denlow did sentence Cook to two years probation and six months of in-home detention. That is in addition to the $14,752 in restitution Cook is required to pay.

He is allowed to leave his home for employment, including his duties as village president, for medical needs for himself and his family and for spiritual needs. Cook will also have to wear a monitoring bracelet.

The sentence was not what the prosecution was looking for. They asked for six to 12 months jail time.

“He knew what the law was and he still disregarded it willfully,” United States Department of Justice attorney Brandon Fox said.

However, even Fox alluded to the unique family challenges Cook is facing.

Cook took his turn to speak to apologize to the community; his girlfriend, who was in attendance; and his family.

“Right now my family is home, when they should be worried about their own health, they’re worried about me,” he said.